Chapter 145
The botanical garden was beautiful. Even though it was early autumn, all kinds of flowers were still in bloom–especially the long rose gallery, which was similar to the one at Lincoln University.
Looking at the gallery, I remembered that night when Colin carried me on his back and wandered around the gallery.
I took photos of the gallery from several angles and sent them to him. “Look, this is the gallery in my college.”
After sending the photos, I didn’t turn off the phone but stayed on the chat page. Colin hadn’t responded to my messages since yesterday. I always felt like something was missing. And now, he was typing, which excited me.
“Have you ever thought of returning to Lincoln University to continue your studies?”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I had thought about this, of course. However, I heard that the inter–provincial school transfer was difficult. “I’ve thought about it. But isn’t it difficult?”
“If you want to come back, just tell me. I’ll figure it out. I have a meeting soon. I’ll get off my phone now. If you need anything, send me a message.”
Colin was finally paying attention to me. I happily turned off my phone and put it back in my bag.
“Who were you chatting with? You look so happy.” Matthew was very
gentlemanly. He kept a polite distance while I sent messages to Colin–although he was also curious about who the person on the other end was.
“It’s Colin.”
He frowned. “Colin again?”
“Yes, you can’t be so rude. I treat him as my brother. He’s several years older than us. You have to be polite to him.”
I wondered which words pleased him, but Matthew smiled and waved to the staff
1/3
wearing white gloves
and wanted to give me a bunch.
I was so frightened that I refused. “No, leave the flowers alone. Helen has hay fever. I even placed the bouquet yesterday at the water station.
“No matter how beautiful the flowers are, I can only hold them for a while. I would have to take them to the water station again when I get back. That’s a pity.”
“Helen has hay fever? Who did you hear that from?” Matthew was surprised.
“She said it herself. When I went back with flowers yesterday, she disliked them, covered her nose, and dodged. I worried something might happen to her, so I sent the flowers away. Don’t give me flowers again in the future. It’s a waste.”
In the next few days, Matthew came to see me in the afternoons and evenings. Sometimes, he took me to meet his friends. And most of the time, we went shopping and had meals.
Several times, he took me to expensive luxury stores, wanting to give me bags, jewelry, and beautiful clothes worth tens of thousands. I always refused.
Once, it rained slightly, so I got wet and had a slight cold. He even gave me a car.
Before he could finish his words, the assistant drove over. It was obvious the car
was prepared long ago.
That light blue car looked exquisite, compact, and extremely expensive. It was a style that all women would like. But I declined it without even touching it.
Matthew couldn’t understand me. In his view, no woman disliked these things,
and I was a rare case.
I was also puzzled. I could accept Colin buying me food, drinks, and gifts. When that person changed to Matthew, I was full of resistance, which was so strange.
Most women liked fancy clothes and beautiful accessories, but only if they could afford them. I would lose myself if I relied on others to give me those. I didn’t want to become so materialistic.
I would make money myself to buy the things I wanted. I’d never rely on others.
I did want to fall in love, but it had nothing to do with money or power. I just wanted to like someone.
+15 BONUS
There was another gathering with Matthew’s friends. I came out a little late as I
was dealing with some matters at college. When I arrived at the club, many people were already in the private room. It was filled with laughter.